Page 10 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“Let’s go see her,” Sabre said.

Chapter 5

Monday late afternoon

Juvenile Hall always smelled of disinfectant and old concrete. Sabre signed the visitor log while JP stood beside her, looking around with quiet curiosity. His dark hair was still thick but carried more gray every year, especially at the temples. His eyes, an unusual greenish brown, studied everything quietly. JP never went anywhere without his black Stetson and a pair of worn cowboy boots, which made him look more like a rancher than a private investigator. People often underestimated him because of that. JP rarely corrected them.

When several workers greeted Sabre, JP commented, “You come here a lot, don’t you?”

“Apparently, too often.” She stepped up to the desk. “I’m here for Bay Mercer.”

The guard checked Sabre’s ID, handed her a temporary badge, then glanced at JP.

“He’s with me,” Sabre said.

The guard studied JP briefly, then shrugged and handed him a badge as well.

“Interview room three.”

“Thanks.”

As they walked down the hall, JP said quietly, “So, this is where the magic happens.”

Sabre gave him a look. “If by magic you mean teenagers who don’t trust anyone and a system that tries to fix them in fifteen-minute increments.”

“Sounds about right.”

They reached the small interview room. Sabre paused before opening the door.

“One thing,” she said.

JP raised an eyebrow.

“She’s cunning. Don’t underestimate her.”

“I never underestimate teenagers,” JP said.

Sabre opened the door to the interview room which was more spacious than the one at court.

Bay sat at the small metal table, her hands folded in front of her. She looked up, and her eyes moved first to Sabre, then to JP. The shift was subtle but unmistakable. It was an assessment, a calculation.

Sabre closed the door behind them.

“Bay,” she said. “This is JP Torn. He works with me.”

Bay studied him for several seconds. Not in a nervous way, just measuring.

JP offered a small nod. “Nice to meet you.”

Bay didn’t return the greeting. Instead, she turned to Sabre. “You brought him to investigate me.”

Sabre pulled out the chair across from her. “That’s part of his job.”

Bay’s gaze moved back to JP. “You’re a private investigator?”

JP smiled. “Something like that.”

Bay perked up. “So, what did you find?”